Never an excuse

It would be churlish and wrong not to be grateful to the Prime Minister for her strong words at this week’s UJIA dinner.

Both as Home Secretary and Prime Minister she has, in word and deed, shown herself to be a reliable and strong supporter of both the British Jewish community and Israel. We should all be grateful.

But the decision last week by Conservative MEPs to ally with some of the most unsavoury groups in the European Parliament in backing Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister, was truly shameful and a dark day for the party led by Mrs May.

Mr Orbán has, repeatedly, used blatant and obvious antisemitic language. Much of his recent election campaign was based on attacks on Jewish Hungarian philanthropist George Soros, in language that was designed to highlight his Judaism and, as such, paint him as the enemy of Hungary.

This is real antisemitism, in mainland Europe,  used as a policy by an EU member.

The MEPs’ vote was bad enough. But the subsequent refusal of a series of high-profile Conservatives to condemn the vote was, if anything, even  worse.

In these of all times, it is vital that antisemitism is called out — wherever it is found.

Inspirational

The word courage is too often misapplied. But it certainly applies to Katie Gee, who five years ago was the victim of an acid attack which left her with 35 per cent burns.

Despite the trauma, and having to endure 70 operations, she has now started an Instagram and YouTube campaign to use her experience to change the way we view each other.

Katie Gee is an inspiration.